Thursday’s Monaco FP2

It must be that time of the year again. Thursday brought the second practice session for the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix… and you know what?! It was exciting! With beautiful weather, stunning vistas, and the wealth of nations on display – Monaco is the crown jewel of the Formula 1 World Championship. This year should not disappoint.

Big news came from an early crash in Turn 13 by Lotus’ Romain Grosjean, after attempting to set a hot lap. With too much speed into the corner he binned the front left wheel assembly and steering components into the barrier. Luckily he walked away unscathed and will rejoin teammate Raikkonen for qualifying on Saturday.

In other news, Mercedes yet again set fastest times with Rosberg and Hamilton at the end of practice. The trend continues to be unbridled speed, resulting in severe rear tire degradation for Mercedes, with Red Bull feeling the pinch too. Mark Webber finished with a 5th fastest time, looking very confident on the circuit. He should anyway, come Sunday he and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso are both in position to grab a 3rd win at Monaco. Webber could make it four in-a-row for Red Bull, and Alonso would be the first driver ever to achieve three wins at Monaco for three different constructors.

Traffic jams during practice nearly added a few other cars to the Grosjean paddock short list as the drivers hammered away this morning, with a near Ferrari miss midway through practice. Ferrari filled out 3 and 4 following the Silver Arrows and did so with poise. Could this be the turning point in the season for the Scuderia? Alonso is surely feeling confident coming off a win at Barcelona and having Red Bull in the rear mirrors is a welcome sight.

So at the end of practice we have Rosberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Massa, and Webber filling out the top 5. Raikkonen, Grosjean, Button, Vettel and the two Force India’s finish out the next group. Expectedly Williams, Caterham, Toro Rosso, and Marussia sitting firmly at the back.

I’d really like to see Webber or Alonso make a statement in Saturday’s Qualifying. Monaco is a circuit won from pole, and that would surely cement some confidence in the worlds fastest #2 Man or the reborn phoenix Alonso.